$578M Arch Grounds Transformation Gets Revised

It's hard to avoid the anticipated cost of this project, though it serves no purpose to dwell on it. The previous number kicked around was $300M, a high enough price tag to make some skeptical. The $578M estimate is much more realistic given the scope and size of this project. It's an exciting number for those who want to see continued investment in downtown and the park.

So what's changed since September 2010? The Kiener Plaza plan was reconsidered, as was Smith Square, which is now contiguous with the Arch grounds with a one-block lid crossing Interstate 70 and three-blocks of Memorial Drive is removed. A gondola is in, and may be funded with bonds as a revenue-generating amenity. The south and west parking garages are out and the focus will be to direct visitors to existing, underutilized downtown parking. The beer garden and ice skating rink may move to Kiener Plaza and the north trainspotting feature looks to be replaced by a more open rail line trench, allowing train viewing. The illuminated flood gauges in the river are apparently gone. The avian research center on the east side is delayed until 2016 when a new Illinois Route 3 will be completed. Click here for the full review of the MVVA original winning design. Complete revision public presentation is below.